Peterson returns to alma mater to coach running backs

MOREHEAD – A coach with strong ties to Eastern Kentucky and a track record of success will mentor the Morehead State running backs beginning in 2017. Gene Peterson has joined the MSU football staff after serving one year as head football coach at Rowan County High School in Morehead.

A Marion County native, Peterson began his coaching career at Breathitt County High School as an assistant coach and then spent the next 26 years on the coaching staff at Fleming County High School. During that time he served as offensive coordinator and was head coach for 10 seasons.

Upon his retirement as the assistant principal and head football coach in 2010, Peterson accepted the head coaching position at Manchester (Ohio) High School.

During his high school coaching career in Kentucky, his teams won four conference championships, one district title, and ranked in the state top 10 on six occasions. He is also a three-time Eastern Kentucky Conference Coach of the Year.

In December of 2010, Peterson became the quarterback coach at Kentucky Christian University. In 2012, KCU had its best record of 7-4 and achieved a top-25 ranking in the NAIA.

Peterson accepted the head coaching position in February of 2013. His team then achieved a top 25 ranking in 2014. KCU’s defense was ranked in the top ten, and in 2014 he had seven players named First-Team All-Mid-South Conference. KCU also had a Cliff Harris Award finalist for the top defensive player in NAIA in 2014. After taking part of the 2014 season off for family, he returned to coaching in 2015 as the offensive coordinator at Bath County High School. In 2016, Peterson was named the head coach at Rowan County High School.

Peterson has completed multiple degrees and certifications from Morehead State University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Education, Master’s Degree in Vocational Education, Elementary Endorsement Grades 1-8, Rank 1 in Elementary Education, and a Secondary Leadership Certificate.

Peterson spent four years as an aviation electronics technician with a Naval F-4 fighter squadron. He and Glenna, his wife of 36 years, have a daughter, Sarah Marshall (Corbin), a son Jody, and three grandchildren, Ashton Henderson, Denton Marshall and Ivy Marshall.